Yahoo Lifestyle 9-1-1 Cast Exits, Ranked: Which Characters Do You Miss Most?
While 9-1-1: Lone Star fans continue to process the questionable explanation behind Grace’s sudden departure, it’s important to remember that she isn’t the first major character we’ve had to say goodbye to.
9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star have a better track record than some other network procedural franchises when it comes to cast turnover, but we’ve still lost seven series regulars over the course of the show’s combined 13 seasons, only a few of whom have made guest appearances since their exits.
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For the purposes of this list, we only included series regulars, so don’t expect to see recurring favorites like 9-1-1‘s Lucy Donato (Arielle Kebbel) or Lone Star‘s Iris Blake (Lyndsy Fonseca), both of whom are welcome back on our screens anytime!
Read on for our ranking of the characters whose absences left the biggest void on their respective show, then drop a comment with your own picks. If you could bring back one person to each of the 9-1-1‘s, who would it be?
7. Marcanthonee Jon Reis as Harry Grant
First Episode: “Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Last Episode: “All Fall Down” (Season 1, Episode 10) — now played by Elijah M. Cooper
During his four seasons as a series regular on 9-1-1, Michael and Athena’s son found himself at the center of several memorable moments, from his own kidnapping (remember that?!) to the time a white police officer pointed his gun at him after pulling Michael over. When Harry reappeared in Season 7, now played by a different actor, we had high hopes for the character’s return to Athena’s world… until that new actor scored a series-regular gig on Disney+’s Goosebumps. At least he was able to guest-star in the finale with his sister. Like most mothers after their kids leave the house, we’ll settle for any visits we can get.
6. Liv Tyler as Michelle Blake
First Episode: “Pilot” (9-1-1: Lone Star Season 1, Episode 1)
Last Episode: “Austin, We Have a Problem” (9-1-1: Lone Star Season 1, Episode 10)
So much has happened since Liv Tyler’s character drove off into the Austin sunset, it’s kind of easy to forget about Michelle’s existence entirely. It certainly didn’t help that Gina Torres, whose character was introduced as Michelle’s replacement in Season 2, delivered a considerably more captivating performance from the moment she appeared on camera.
5. John Harlan Kim as Albert Han
First Episode: “Seize the Day” (Season 3, Episode 11)
Last Episode: “In Another Life” (Season 6, Episode 11)
Albert is a tricky case. We’re always happy to see John Harlan Kim on our screen, but Chimney’s younger half-brother never seemed to stick around long enough to carve a true place for himself — even after Kim was promoted to series regular in Season 4 — which lessened the impact of his full-time departure. We were hoping he’d visit for Chimney and Maddie’s wedding, but no dice. Perhaps he can make up for missing their big day with a return to Los Angeles in Season 8?
4. Rockmond Dunbar as Michael Grant
First Episode: “Pilot” (9-1-1 Season 1, Episode 1)
Last Episode: “Defend in Place” (9-1-1 Season 5, Episode 8)
There was a time when we thought Michael and his surgeon husband might be the catalyst for another 9-1-1 spinoff — a medical drama, perhaps one co-starring then-student Hen? But we digress. Michael’s sudden relocation to Haiti in Season 5, which came as the result of a behind-the-scenes dispute between Dunbar and 20th Television over COVID vaccine mandates, felt noticeably abrupt.
3. Corinne Massiah as May Grant
First Episode: “Pilot” (9-1-1 Season 1, Episode 1)
Last Episode: “All Fall Down” (9-1-1 Season 7, Episode 10)
Athena and Michael’s daughter spent four seasons as a series regular, which included a memorable stint in the call center. While we fully support her decision to leave the next and pursue an education, we do miss seeing her as part of the team. We’ll just have to settle for occasional guest spots, including the two appearances she made in Season 7.
2. Connie Britton as Abby Clark
First Episode: “Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Last Episode: “What’s Next?” (Season 3, Episode 18)
Buck and Abby’s courtship was among the highlights of 9-1-1‘s first season. Their dynamic was one not often seen on network TV, and the arc of their relationship was deeply satisfying. When Connie Britton’s exit was announced ahead of Season 2, we couldn’t imagine how the should continue without her. Fortunately, the arrivals of Eddie and Maddie kept Buck plenty busy and helped to make Abby’s exit less jarring. By the time Britton reprised her role for a guest appearance in the third season finale, Buck had completely moved on from what they shared — and so had we.
1. Sierra McClain as Grace Ryder
First Episode: “Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Last Episode: “What’s Next?” (Season 3, Episode 18)
Come on, did you really expect to see anyone else at the top of this list? Grace isn’t just Judd’s better half, she’s his much better half. She’s Tommy’s best friend. She’s Charlie’s mom. She’s a badass dispatcher. She has a full, busy life. So short of killing her off, which the producers decided early on was not the appropriate way to go, we can’t imagine a satisfying explanation for why she would leave it all behind on a whim. The writers wisely leaned into Grace’s faith, sending her off on a Mercy Ship to do God’s work internationally, but it still isn’t sitting right with us — and we’re not sure any reason would.
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